After a 101-day hiatus, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood’s top studios and streamers have finally set a date to return to the negotiating table: Friday, Aug. 11.
The return to formal negotiations was announced on Aug. 10, nearly a week after both sides met in an exploratory meeting about the talks between the two parties on Aug 4. It marks the first step in what may be a long road to the parties reaching a resolution and ending the writers’ strike.
“Carol Lombardini has asked the WGA Negotiating Committee to meet with AMPTP negotiators on Friday,” the WGA said in an email to members Aug. 10. “We expect the AMPTP to provide responses to WGA proposals. Our committee returns to the bargaining table ready to make a fair deal, knowing the unified WGA membership stands behind us and buoyed by the ongoing support of our union allies. We will get back to you.”
The walk-up to this development was not without drama. Following the Aug. 4 meeting, the WGA informed members that the AMPTP was seeking to use the deal that the Directors Guild of America (DGA) agreed to earlier this summer as a template for shared issues like pay increases. However, the AMPTP was not willing to address core writer issues such as the minimum size of writers’ rooms or success-based residuals. Writers blasted the AMPTP’s Aug. 4 offer as “insulting and out-of-touch.”
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While there was initial optimism for the Aug. 4 meeting, the lack of results at the time served as yet another rallying cry for writers. On Wednesday, the WGA marked the 100th day of its strike, which has now officially passed the duration of the 2007 walkout. WGA negotiating committee co-chair Chris Keyser called the 100-day marker “an anniversary of shame for the AMPTP.”
After whispers of the previous meetup circulated for days, the WGA notified its members last week that AMPTP president Lombardini had reached out to set a time to “to discuss negotiations.” The meeting was set for Aug. 4, but the union tempered expectations by sending off a memo warning members that entertainment companies might not be ready yet to make major concessions.
That missive prompted the AMPTP to send off a terse press statement of its own, describing the union’s rhetoric as “unfortunate.” The group added, “This strike has hurt thousands of people in this industry, and we take that very seriously. Our only playbook is getting people back to work.”
Now in its 101st day, the writers’ strike has contributed to the shutdown of unionized, scripted production in the U.S. and, in some cases, abroad. Projects like Deadpool 3 and Gladiator 2 have been affected by the strike. Additionally, production on major films and television series, including Marvel’s Blade and Netflix’s Stranger Things, have been delayed as performers’ union SAG-AFTRA joined the picket lines on July 14.
The resumption of negotiations brings hope that a resolution may be on the horizon, but it is still uncertain how long it will take to reach an agreement. The strike has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, with thousands of workers affected by the shutdown of scripted production. As both sides return to the bargaining table, the unified WGA membership stands behind the negotiating committee, ready to make a fair deal.
The AMPTP’s unwillingness to address core writer issues has been a sticking point for the WGA throughout the strike. The minimum size of writers’ rooms and success-based residuals are crucial matters to the writers, as they directly impact their working conditions and compensation. The WGA has consistently called on the entertainment companies to make a fair deal and take responsibility for the damage caused by the strike and their business practices.
While there may be difficult negotiations ahead, the WGA remains committed to fighting for the rights of its members. The ongoing support of union allies and the unity of the WGA membership provide strength as they navigate the path towards a resolution. The writers’ strike has brought attention to the unfair treatment of writers in the industry and serves as a reminder of the importance of fair compensation and working conditions for all professionals involved in the creation of entertainment content.
As negotiations resume, the hopes of writers, performers, and other industry professionals ride on a fair and equitable resolution. The strike has caused significant disruptions in production, impacting not only the livelihoods of those directly involved but also the release of highly anticipated projects. The resumption of negotiations brings a glimmer of hope for the industry to recover and for workers to return to their craft.
